Telegraph signal biasing set



Sept- 18, 195.1 w..B. MARTIN i 2,568,019

TELEGRAPH SIGNAL BIASING SET Filed March 5', 1949 OUTPUTOF ,0 RELAY l2 #gonna/v "MlslulugslML/u' /N VEN TOR m s. mer/N x i BV i ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 18, ,1951

U NI TED STATE-S PATE NT F VFl C E TELEGRAPH SIGNAL BIASING ST Wade B'. Martin, Ramsey, N. J., assignor to Amer-'-4 ican Telephone and Telegraph Company, a cor--i poration of New York- Application March 5, 1949, Serial No. '79,819

9 Claims.

This invention relates to telegraph'testing sets and particularly to testing sets arranged for introducing biasv and end distortion into the test message signals. g

`In transmitting telegraph signals, each of which' is made up of a. plurality ofk impulses `having a definite length, distortion of the impulses and therefore of the signalsmay be pro'duced'by various causes inherent in the telegraph `circuit or in theiapparatus connected thereto. The distortion orl bias manifests itself in increasing or vdecreasing the duration of the marking impulses of the signals transmitte'd'over a telegraph circuit'. This undesirable distortion, may beA the result of irregularities' inthe travel time of the armatures of the relays in' a telegraph circuit or may be due to irregularities' in the transmission characteristic of a telegraph. circuit or other conditions.

Four types of signal distortions will be referred to herein, namely marking bias, spacing bias,

marking end distortion and spacing end distortion. Bias, of bothtypes, frequently occurs in telegraph transmission systems, and generally affects allV marking impulses alike and .to the same extent. It is evidenced by advancement of the beginnings vof all marking impulses relative to the beginning yof the start impulse, in the' case of marking bias, and by retardation of the be'- ginnings` of the marking impulses relative to" the beginning of` the start impulse in the case of spacing bias. In other words, marking bias is a condition of shorter-,than-normal intervals between the mark-to-space transition which begins the start impulse and alln space-to-,mark transitions in theA code combination, and spacing bias Y is a condition of longer-than-normal intervals between the Amark-to-space start impulse' transition and space-to-mark transitions of the code combination.

End distortion is an artificial simulation of types of distortion which occur in telegraph transmission systems, but it is not practical to produce for test purposes. These' are charact'eristic distortions which may varyifrom impulse to impulse and are dependent on the'sequence or combination oi preceding impulses, and fortuitous distortions, which Jis non-repetitive and usually results from electrical disturbances of any of Vseveral kinds. Endv distortion affects the time of occurrence' of the ends of' marking im- 2 and spacing bias, respectively, marking endv distortion is characterized by a lengthening ofthe marking intervals and spacing end distortion is characterized by a shortening of the intervals.

Teletypewriter apparatus responds inY generally the same manner to end distortion that it does to characteristic and fortuitous distortion', so that the tolerance of such apparatus to characteristic and fortuitous distortion may be tested by impressing upon it signals having end distortion.

This lengthening and shortening of transition intervals results in departure from the unity ratio of marking impulse length to spacing impulse length and may interfere with the proper reception of the signals. In a printing telegraph sys'- ltem, biasing of the signals may result in the printing of false characters; If the marking lm pulses are too short, some of them may' not actuate their respective receiving elements thereby resulting in the printing of errors. Also, if the marking impulses are too long, they may improperly operate receiving elements correspond ing tol impulses intended to be spacing impulses which would also result in the printing of errors. Because of this possible distortion ci the signal impulses, it is desirable to' design and adjust receiving printing telegraph apparatus to correctly receive impulses `having as great a degree ofbias or end distortion as possible, such asfoltv per cent marking or forty per cent spacing.

The object of this invention is, thereforato provide improved means for transmitting to' ape paratus to be tested, impulses affectedv with Various degrees of marking bias, spacing bias, marking vend distortion or spacing end distortion, and to quickly change from one to another.

The use of whatis here defined as marking and spacing bias for testing teletypewriters will show up errors in adjustments and inaccuracies in the manufacture of parts. However, teletypewriters which are apparently satisfactory from the standpoint of this type of distortion, that is, bias, will still be not wholly satisfactory until tested and adjusted under conditions caused by that other type of distortion knownas end distortion. In other words, itis known that teletypewriters respond somewhat differently to the lengthening or shortening of the marking selecting impulses when the beginning of the impulse is affected than when the end of the impulse is affected. Hence, it is necessary, in order to fully testa teletypewriter, to subject it to both marking and spacing bias and marking and spacing' end distortion; I

Heretofore when introducing known amounts of bias and distortion electromagnetic relays and special distributors were used for this purpose whereby signals having known amounts of such bias and distortion could be generated for testing teletypewriter apparatus.

According to the present invention a signal biasing set is provided wherein a'vacuum tube is used for subjecting standard or perfect signals to any desired amount of bias and distortion and repeating such signals into the winding of an output electromagnetic relay. The circuit elements are always brought to the same electrical condition at the start or end of each cycle of peration so that characteristic distortion is not superimposed on the intentionally produced distortions, and inasmuch as the vacuum tube is always under control of its circuit elements and the resulting currents controlling the output electromagnetic relay are of substantially square-'topped wave form, the major causes of fortuitous distortion are eliminated. The present invention produces marking bias, spacing bias, marking end distortion and spacing end distortion.

A feature of the invention is to provide a test set having means whereby the output signals produced therein are stable and therefore satisfactory for making stability tests.

Another feature is the provision of means for holding to a minimum the characteristic and fortuitous distortion in the output signals.

Another feature is the provision of means which when adjusted for a given bias, using an effective polar output, will also serve for ordinary neutral, inverse neutral, or true polar transmission.

Another feature is the substitution of vacuum tubes for the electromagnetic relays, distributors and other electromechanical devices inherently having inertia characteristics for generating signals having the desired amount of bias or distortion and then repeating them into an output electromagnetic relay.

Another feature is the provision of means for causing the marking bias, spacing bias, marking end distortion and spacing end distortion of a predetermined value to occur in the output signals.

Other objects and features of the invention will appear from a study of the following specication, claims and appended drawing.

Figure 1 shows a schematic circuit arrangement of a signal biasing test set wherein a vacuum tube circuit is arranged to impose various kinds of bias or distortion on substantially perfect teletypewriter signals whereby the signals so modified have the desired amount of bias or distortion, for testing teletypewriter apparatus;

and

Fig. 2 illustrates a series of charts showing the operation of a distorting circuit and an output electromagnetic relay, whenv teletypewritervsignals have known amounts of bias or distortion of various kinds superimposed on them by the distorting circuit.

General description Reference will now be made to Fig. 1 of the drawing.

'Ihe circuit schematic shown in Fig. 1 comprises input electromagnetic relay II and output electromagnetic relay I2 interconnected by two vacuum tubes, one being a twin-diode vacuum tube rectifier I3 and the other an amplifier Vacuum tube I4 having its output circuit connected to the operating winding of output relay I2.V

Input relay II has two windings. Its operating or upper winding is connected to one or multiple jacks in the face of a test board and is arranged to receive test signals of a neutral type, that is, open and closed circuit conditions, that are automatically transmitted from a test sentenceitape moving through tape transmitter I5. Its'biasing or lower winding is arranged for connection on one side to a source of potential and on the other side to a grounded adjustable resistor I6 whereby the biasing current may be calibrated.

A signal distorting circuit comprises condenser I8, rheostat I'I, twin-diode vacuum tube I3 and vibrating relay I9, the latter being under control of manually operated switch 20. Switch 2B controls relay I9 to change the connections of vacuum tube I3 to determine the type of bias or distortion that is to be'impressed on signals repeated by relay I I for testing purposes in the output circuit. It conditions vacuum tube I3 for operation in -response to polar signals repeated by the input relay. v

The armature of input relay I I in response to the incoming signal impulses operates between marking and spacing Acontacts respectively connected to grounded positive and grounded negative batteries, say of volts each, and is connected to conductor 2l which in turn. is .connected to rheostat I'I and conductor 22, in parallel. The resistance of rheostat I'I may be varied from substantially zero to about 75,000 ohms. The rheostat I1 at its opposite end is connected to three parallel paths, one extending through resistor 23 and condenser I8, in series, to ground, resistor 23 having a resistance Value of about 2,000 ohms, the second extending to cathode 24 of the right-hand diode of vacuum tube I3 and to plate 25 of the left-hand diode of vacuum tube I3, and the third extending through resistor 2B, to grid 21 of vacuum tube I4, resistor 23 havinga high resistance value of the order of 2 megohms. Conductor 22 extends to the armature of vibrating relay I3, the armature of the vibrating relay being operable between contacts respectively connected to plate 29 of the right-hand diode of vacuum tube I3 and cathode 30 of the left-hand diode.

Amplier vacuum tube I4 which receives the biased and distorted signals from the signal biasing circuit and repeats them as a substantially square-topped waveform intor the operating or upper winding of output relay I2, has its cathode 3| connected to the adjustable contact of potentiometer 32. By means of potentiometer 32 the grid-cathode biasing voltage may be adjusted to cause Vacuum tube I 4 to become conductive at a predetermined amplitude of the input signaling current received from the biasing circuit. Output relay I2 operates in response to current flowing-in the plate circuit of vacuum-tube I4 to repeat the biased and distorted signals as polar, effective polar, inverse neutral or ordinary neutral signals to the output circuit, as desired. A circuit wherein transmission is 'on a polar basis, has grounded positive and grounded negative batteries, generally of equal potentials, arranged for alternate connections to itself, the opposite end of the circuit being connected directly to ground. A circuit wherein transmission is on an effective polar basis is substantially identical with a circuit arranged on a regular polar basis except that it does not terminate in a direct ground but in a grounded positive or a grounded negative current source of "approxiducting while lthe other diode is non-conducting or the diodes may be made alternately conductive in 4uniform cycles. `By changing the conducting'state of the diode as desired, predetermined changes in the bias sign of the incoming signals are made.

With positive potential being impressed over conductor- 2| onto condenser I8 and vibrating relay I9 being in its released or right-hand position as shown, this potential has no eiect on the left-hand diode of vacuum tube I3 because theplate-cathode circuit of the left-hand diode isopen at the front contact of vibrating relay I9 and the lett-hand diode is at this time non-conducting. Assuming that condenser-` I 8 has become fully charged, there will be no current flow through rheostat I1 and no voltage across it, so that the anode and cathode of the right-hand diode of tube I3 will be at the same ,potential and the diode will not be conducting. The fully charged potential of condenser I8 will be impressed on the input circuit of tube I4With positive polarity applied through grid resistor 26, which may have a value of the order. of 2 megohms, to the grid of tube I4. Therefore, vacuum tube I4 is normally conducting plate current yto flow through the operating, or upper, winding or output relay I2, over conductor 28 through vacuum tube I4, to potentiometer 32. The output relay I2 is held in its marking or right-hand position .to normally maintain teletypewriter 33 in the stop or rest condition, or multiway repeater 34 in an idlecondition oraY telegraph circuit 35 operated by ordinary neutral signals,

closed during idle periods between transmitted messages. Y

When the start impulse of a signal such as that of the signal Wave shown in chart A is received in the operating Winding of input relay II, the relay armature moves from its marking orright-hand contact to its spacing or left-hand contact. -l Continuous marking bias Assuming that switch 20 is in its left-hand position andv vibrating relay I9 is therefore in its released or 'right-hand position,` the vleft-hand diode of' vacuum tube I3 may, under such conditions, be ignored because at vthis time its platecathode circuitv is maintainedopen at the front contact and varmature of relay I9 as hereinbefore described. When the armature of input relay II reaches its spacing or left-hand contact the positive potential stored on condenser I8 discharges in a path extending over resistor 23, bias rheostat `I'I-, conductorv 2|, armature and spacing contact ofi-.input relay 'I I, to grounded negative battery of 130 volts. The current which charges condenser I8 to a negative potential when the incoming signals are being given marking bias flows through bias rheostat I'I and causes plate 29 of the right-hand diode to become negative with respect to its cathode 24 and no Acurrent ows in vacuum tube I3. lWhen no current flows in the right-hand diode in response to the negative current `at this time, condenser IB discharges its positive potential and recharges to a negative potentialywith delaythat is, very slowly, as indicated during the start impulse shown in graph Bg-I of chart B of Fig. 2.

YCondenser I8 -charges exponentially, its rate of charging depending on the resistance y adjustment of bias rheostat I1. Because of this resistance adjustment and the high resistance valu-e of resistor'ZE, the change of grid bias in vacuum tube I4 due to the reversal from positiveto negative ofthe potential charge on condenser lvis also delayed when the incoming signal transition during marking bias operation is from mark to space. This change in grid bias from positive to negative is substantially identical with that indicated for the start impulses shown in graph B-I of chart B. After the delay, the magnitude of Which is dependent on the adjustment of bias rheostat I1, the sweep of the voltage wave crosses the zero value between the positive voltage for marking -and the negative voltage for spacing. The point of crossing during the startimpulse is indicated in graph B-I as being approximately 25 per cent from the beginning of the start impulse -to represent a case where the margin of bias desired is 25 per cent. When the sweep of the wave crosses the zero value to negative voltage, vacuum tube I4 becomes non-conducting and the output relay I2 operates to its spacing or right-hand position under the influence of the biasing current iiowing through the lower winding of relay I2, to transmit to the output circuit a delayed start or space impulse. Only a small portion of the sweep from positiveA to negative voltage during the transition from marking to spacing is required to change vacuum tube I4 from its state of being fully conducting to its cuton voltage, and therefore the current in the plate circuit of vacuum tube I4 approaches a squaretopped wave form. The beginning of the start impulse as repeated by output relay I2 and shown in graph B-2 is a mark-to-space transition and is shown delayed with respect to the beginning of the start impulse of the unbiased signal shown in chart A. n

On the next space-to-mark transition of the signal wave which in chart A is shown between the start impulse and selecting impulse No. 1, the armature of input relay I I moves back to its mark or right-hand contact thereby again connecting the grounded -volt positive battery to discharge and recharge condenser I8 through the parallel paths comprising bias rheostat II and the right-hand diode of vacuum tube I3. The righthand diode of vacuum tube I3 becomes conductive and effectively short-circuits bias rheostat II. This right-hand -diode is highly conductive and responds to the positive potential received at a space-to-mark transition of the incoming signal. In response to the space-to-mark transition, when bias rheostat I 1 is short-crcuited,condenser I8 vdischarges almost instantly through the diode to change the grid bias of vacuum tube I4 without delay, from a negative bias to a positive bias, and vacuum tube I4 becomes 'conducting instantly to transmit plate current to the operating or upper winding of output relay l2. Relay I2 operates immediately to transmit a mark impulse to the output circuit. The rapid change'in the grid bias of vacuum tube I4 has the connguration of a substantially vertical wave front as shown at the beginning of selection impulse No. 1 of graph B--I. Likewise, the output of relay I2 produces a vertical wave front for the corresponding marking impulse transmitted to the output circuit as shown in graph B-2. The subsequent transitions of the remaining impulses of the incoming signal shown in chart A, such as mark-to-space at the beginning of selecting impulse No. 2, spacet-o-mark at the beginning of selecting impulse No. 3, mark-to-space at the beginning of selecting impulse No. 4, and space-to-mark at the beginning of selectingl impulse No. 5 change the bias on the grid of vacuum tube I4 in a manner similar to that hereinbefore described for the mark- ,9 to-Ispace transition-of the beginning of the `start impulse orthe spaceetoemark,transition. at the beginning or the selectingfimpulseNor. l .These changes in grid bias fof vacuum tube Iaresimt` lar inform to the wave shown in graphf-B-n-L the markr'to-space transitionchanging lthe grid bias gradually Aand `the space-toemark transitions changing the grid bias rapidly.` Accordingly,l the plate current wave of vacuum `tube I4, uponiiowing through the operating winding of relay-I2, producesV in the output circuit of relay I.2'`:a square-topped signal'wave form having its space#` to-mark transitions Aadvanced with respect to th-e beginning of its start impulse as shown *in graph B-Zfwhich is the characteristicofA signals hay-'- ingamarking bias. The? amount oradvancement of the spaccato-mark.transitions with resfpeot to the,` beginning offthe start-impulse is indicated by the shaded `portions fof graph B-a-ZZ.

In View of the above it will be noted thativheh the; incoming signals are continuously biased to marking, the transitions in the signal wave yfrom marking to spacing, causea `dischargeA ofccn-` denser I8, with delay, and the transitions from spacing vto marking cause as'discharge "of condenser I 3, without delay, asshown graph --It isaapparent from an-'inspecti'on `of graph B-.'2.;that the signal represented thereby has all of its'.'marlr-to-spac'e transitions including the beginning of the start impulse, delayed vwith respectto the corresponding transitions of the signal in graph A. It is well understood that start-stop signal responsive devices, such'as tele typewriters, take no cogriizancebfy delay in start impulses since such delayrnerelyamountsYV to elongation ofithe stop impulse, during which thereceiving selector is at rest. The selector is set in operation by the start-transition, and accordingly the 'start transition isfthe reference transition in so far as the/"times of" recept-)in of'subsequent transitionsV are concerned." Thus itis that although the `signal represented by graph B 2 has' its transitions related to those of the signal represented: by graphV A as stated hereinbefore, namely, with all mark-to-space transitions delayed, a receiving teletypewriter would interpret the 'signal as having its spaceto-mark transitions advanced relative the beginning of the start impulse, which', by definition, is markingV bias. In` order` that the signalrrepresentedby graphV Be-'Z may be'viewed 'as it would appear to a receiving teletypewriter, it should be imagined that the graph is shifted leftwardly until the beginning of the start impulse is aligned with that'n graph A. 'Ihe relation of the biased signal to an unbiased-signal willA at once be ap# parent. 1 Graph 13 2 wasdrawn asit appears in Fig. 2 rather than shifted to the left, because its transitions are related to graph B-i-I inV the manner -hereinbefore' stated. Y

. Continuous spacing bicis...y

Assuming that switch' 20' in its right-'hand position and vibrating relay I9 is therefore in itsroperatedor ieftshand' position, cathode su' of the left-hand diode of vacuum Vtube I3, instead of plate 2!! of the right-hand diode, is connected to conductor 2,2L The cathode 3Uy is at the same potential as its` plate 25 when condenser I3" is fully vcharged and `vconsequently the left-hand diode non-conducting, during the idle periods of the system. The rightlhand diode of `,vitamina tube I3 maybe ignored when'the systemlisadf justedfor spacing biasbecauselat this time its,

plate-cathode circuit is maintained open `at `the back contact and armature of relay I9.

. When the'start impulse of the signal such as that of the signal wave shown in chart A, is received in the operating winding of input relay I tithe relay armature moves from-itsfmarking or right-ha`nd contact to its spacing or left-handcontact. When the armature of input relay II rea-ches its spacing contact the positive potential storedfon condenser vI8 discharges in a path "eine tending over resistor 23, conductors 39 and 4U, plate 25, cathode itil,` spacing bias Contact and armature of relay I8, conductors 22 and 2 I, arma'-I ture 'and spacing "Contact of yinput relay II, to 'grounded negative 13G-'volti battery, Vacuum tubev I3 is highly conductive: and since at this time plate 25` is positive inrrelation to its cathode 3U, offering alow resistance path in parallel tobias rheostat I'I, condenser i I8 `discharges rapidly, causing a verticalI mark-toe'space transfi-` tion in the grid circuit ci va'cuuntube 'Iials indicated at the beginning of the svtartlfimpulse shown in graph C-I of` chart C'. The discharge df thep'ositive potential on condenser I8-, `with' out delay, biases the grid of vacuum tube IIl negatively and thereby causes vacuum tube I4 to become non-coiiducting.,` without delay, to cause therelease of output relay i2 instantly. Therefore,"the vmarkH-to-sp'ace transition at the beginning of the start impulse is transmitted toV the output circuit, wit hout delay.` HoweveL-aftercondenser I8 discharges its positive potentialandv becomes charged to a negative potential ap*-` proaching 130 volts, the left-hand diode, of vacuum tube i3 becomes non-conducting and vacuum tube Ifl remains non-conducting as long as a negative potential ffis stored on condenser I8. During` the reception` of the .start impulse, when vacuumgtubev I4 is non-conducting, vthe arma;- ture of output relay .i2 is maintained in engage-1V ment with its spacing or left-hand contact under the influence of thebias'ing current in the lower winding of the relay. yAv square-topped space or start Iimpulse is thus transmitted to the 'output circuit asshownin graph C`2 of chart C;

Inasmuch as thev next incoming impulsewhich; is selecting impulse No. 1,- is a mark, as shown inchart A, thevtransition at the end of the 'start impulse is spaceeto-mark',` whereby input relayY i I is operated back to its marking vor rightehandf contact. `When the armature of relay I IA engages its marking contact the discharge path of cen` denser I8 is closed over the parallel paths, one including bias rheostat 'Il' and the other include ing the left-hand diode of tubjef- It.I At this timek the cathode 3U is positive in relation to its plate'v 25 andftherefore the left-hand diode of vacuum tube I3 oiefs a very high impedance to the discharge current which 1ro-'wis' limited by. the" re-4 sistance of bias rheostat I 'i'. Accordingly, a delay' occurs between the time the` armature 'of relay I'I engages its 'marking contact and the grid` of vacuum tube 4"I4 becomes 'biased psitively.- l A delayed plate current, therefore/flows in vacuum, tube I4 to operate output relay I2 to its *marking or right'hand position whereby a markingY im'- piilse' delayed with `respect to theliaginningeff4 the start impulse, is transmitted tothe output circuit. VThesvhaded portion atA the beginning 'f'selectingimpulse No. 1 in graph C-2 indicates' the'delay of the occurrence of the marking iin'- pulse ,and represents. the spacing bias `whereby the lstart or spaceimpulse is elongated.'V

in view of the above it will be noted that when the incoming signals are continuously biased to spacing the transitions in the signal wave from marking to spacing cause a discharge of condenser I8 without delay, and the transitions from spacing to marking cause a discharge of eenden'- ser ltwith delay; as shown in graph c-2.

, When the biasing circuit is adjusted for marking bias, all space-to-mark transitions of the selecting impulses with respect to the beginning of the start impulse are advanced, asshown by shaded portions in graph B-2. When the biasing circuit is adjusted for. spacing bias all spaceto-rnark transitions of the selecting impulses with respect to the beginning of the 'start impulse are delayed, shown as shaded portions in graph (ZL-2. The rheostat I1, being variablet permits varying thech'ar'ging an'clV discharging rate of condenser I8. Varying the charging' and discharging rate correspondingly varies' the interval between trani sitions of relay II and the 'swinging of the grid of tube I4 up'or down across the cut-off potential. The effect of this is to vary the degree or per centage of bias, which is desirable when testing the-tolerance of teletypewriter receiving devices to distorted signals.

End distorttot Assuming that switch 2U is in its normal position, as shown, vibrating relay I9 is therefore continuously vibrating and releasing in uniform cycles to render the twin diodes alternatively effective to subject the incoming signals to spacing bias and marking bias depending on which ofthe diodes is effective at the time the signal is received. Switching from one type of bias to the other during the reception of a code combination has the effect of subjecting subsequently received impulses of that code combination to marking or spacing end distortion, depending upon which way the reversal occurs.

.spacing end distortion When the biasing circuit is arranged for end distortion, the armature or relay I9 is vibrating between .its front and back contacts `and each movement of the relay armature from its back toits front contact or vice versa, accordingly produces a switchover from mark-to-space or space-to-mark bias. When the relay armature is inengagement with its back contact, the righthand d iode is effective to bias the incoming signal marking and when the armature is in engagement with its front contact the left-hand diode is effective to bias the incoming signal spacing. I f the switch-over occurs at or after the middle ofthe start impulse is received, subsequent impulses preceding the stop impulse of the incoming signal contain end distortion, otherwise the entire signal has either continuous mark or continuous space bias.

f In graph D-I of chart D the grid of tube I4' is shown as initially responding to a signal with marking bias produced when the right-hand diode iseffective as a result of engagement of the armature of relay I9 with its'back contact. At about the middle of the start impulse graph D-I shows a point of switch-over caused byl the relay When relay I9 operates charging, 'immediately became completely dis-1V chargedy and then became fully charged to the opposite, or negative, potential` The negative poe tential remains stored on condenser I8 for the duration ofthe start impulse. When the space to-mark transition o'c'curs at the beginning of selecting pulse No. l, and the 'armature of relay II moves into eng-agement with its marking or right-hand contact,k condenser I8 begins to dis-4 charge its negative potential slowly and when fully discharged it stores a charge of positive potential in the same manner as when the biasing circuit had a steady spacing bias as shown in graph C--I. The markets-space transition at the end of selecting impulse No. l, the space-toa mark transition at the end of selecting impulse No. 2, the mark-to-space transition at the end of selecting impulse No. 3, and the space-to-mark transition at the end of selecting impulse No. f4 produce a voltage wave on the grid of vacuum tube I4 which is similar to that shown in graph C-I. In this voltage wave the irst mark-tospace transitiom'which occurs at the beginning of the start impulse, is delayed, but all subsequent mark-to-space transitions before the next switchover occurs are not delayed. The space-to-mark transitions in the wave form shown in graph D-2 are delayed with respect to the corresponding transitions in undistorted signal, graph A. With the space-to-mark transitions delayed and the mark-to-space transitions not delayed (except the start transition which is delayed) it follows that the space-to-mark transitions (beginnings of marking impulses) are neither advanced nor delayed with respect to the beginning of thestart impulse, and that the mark-to-space transitions (ends of marking impulses) have a time relationship of advancement with reference to the`begin' ning of the start impulse. By definition, this is spacing end distortion. o

As in the case of the marking bias, the relation of the signal represented by graph D-2 tojan undistorted signal, from the standpoint of a receivingdevice, may be seen by imagining that graph D-2 is shifted leftwardly until the beginning of the start impulse is aligned with that of graph A. When this is done it will be apparent that the ends of the marking impulses have been advanced, relative to the beginning ofthestart impulse, to the extent of the shaded areas, which are parts of the succeeding spacing impulses.

Marking end distortion When the biasing circuit is in the spacing bias condition just prior to the time of switch-over, the armature of relayv I9 is in engagement with its front contact andthe left-hand diode of vacuum tube I3 is effective to apply spacing bias to the incoming signal. Accordingly, the start impulse transition of the incoming signal occurs without delay as shown in graphs E-I and E-2. When the armature of relay I9 moves into engagement with its back contact, the left-hand diode of vacuum tube I3 is disconnected and the right-hand diode becomes effective to apply marking bias to the incoming signal. Graph causes relay I2 to produce in its output circuit a" square-topped signal wave form having its marke,

to-space transitions delayed with respect tothe' beginning of the vstart impulses,v as shown in graph E-.2. The mark-to-space `transitions when delayed with respect to the beginning of the start `impulse represent 'marking endv distortion.

In view of the above it willbeynoted that when the biasing, circuit isarrangedfor; continuous marking or `continuousspacing bias, thespace-tomark 'transitions are affected as shownin graphs B-Z and, CP2, respectively, and when. it is` arranged ,for spacing end' distortion or marking end distortion, the mark-to-space transitions areal.- fected as shown in graphsAD-2 and E1- 2, respectively;

The point, of bias switching to produce end distortion has vbeen :indicated ingraphs Dv and E as occurring aboutthe middle` of thestart vimpulseV Unless interrupter 31 is synchronized withthe transmitter output relay l2 itmay not always occur inthe-.middle of thestart impulse, and it need `not be arranged tov occur att-hat time. The interrupter ymay vbe .synchronized with the transmitter, toucause a switch-over .during the start impulse of everyicode4 combination, or every second orthird or `fourth code combination as desired. On the other hand, theswitch-over lmay bes-permitted to occur at random.A In that event, mark-to-space transitions occurring after the switch-over` will havle fmarking `or spacing `end distortion as the case'm'ay be, and space-to-mark transitions precedingA the switch-over will have spacing or markingl bias.

The biasing circuit,employed'herein'V includes a twin-diode vaccum tube I'3having Aits diode 'sectionsA alternately connectable inthe circuit on a reversal basis, but it `will be understood that a single diode vacuum ,tube may be equally Vwell adapted for purposes of'the invention to operate with vibrating relay i9.' In a biasing circuit equipped with one diode vacuum tube only, relay I9 may be provided with two armatures operable between front` and 'back contacts and connected inthe well-known arrangement of a double-pole, double-throw reversing switch, to connect the singlediode in one direction or the other across rheostat II.

The values used herein are for illustrative purposes only and may be varied as desired to` produce results that are within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. Atelegraph signal reproducing system comprising receiving relay, means ,forrepeating the marking and spacing impulses of incoming signal combinations, a source ofppolar signals:con trolled by said receiving relay means whereby .the incoming signal impulses are repeated as polar signal impulses, a single path comprising adjustable impedance means for transmitting said polar signal impulses of positive and negative currents respectively, electron discharge means arranged to become alternately conducting and non-conducting in response to said positive and negative currents, respectively, transmitted over said single path, and potential storing means connected in series with said adjustable means for producing in accordance with the adjustment of said impedance means any predetermined amount of bias or distortion, as desired, at either end of one or more impulses in each of said signal combinations.

2. A telegraph signal reproducing system comprising receiving relay means for repeating the marking and spacing impulses of incoming signals, a source of polar signals controlled by said i4 receivingl rlayineans whereby-the incoming sise' nal impulses are ,repeated as polar signal pulses, a pathcomprisingl adjustabledmpedance means for transmittingfsaid .polargsignalpulseseletronic means and selectively operable means vtherefor for conditioning; sadcelectroiii meansA tobe` alternately conductingand non-.com ducting in uniform or non-uniform .-cycles,1 ,as gde,- sired, inresponse to the polar signal ,impulses transmitted over said, path, potential storing means, associated with said adjustable impedance means for producing any predeterminedxamount of bias or distortion, as desired, otherrepeating means operative in response tosaid .biasedoradisfg torted signals and other selectively-.,-operable means for Vtraifislating the output of` said-repeat: ing means `into signal impulses` ofv the polar, lef,- fectivel polar, inverse neutral i or ordinary-A neutral type. .i 3. vAtelegraph signal reproducing systemcom: prising receiving relay mea-ns; forrepeating-pmarke. ing impulses and spacing impulses,l a fsourceof polar ,signals controlled by said relay means ;:an

output path for transmitting the.A polar signal impulses `from said source, said "pat-h comprising an adjustable resistor, a fixed.resistorandfarpoe tential storing elementv connected in ,'series, elect tronic means connectedacross said/adustable re-, sistor, .electromagnetic ;means v.and manually operable means therefor for conditioning ,said electronic meansyto become conducting andnonconducting alternately in ,response tothe .polar signal impulses received by said. potential-storing element over said path to produce any V,predeterf mined amountof bias ,or distortion, as desired;.for

testing telegraph circuits andapparatus. v

'4. A telegraph signal reproducing. systemcomprising means for repeating marking current impulses and spacing current impulses of incoming y signal combinations, `a circuit comprising, inl-see' ries connection, an adjustable impedance ele'- ment, a xed impedance element-.and a potential storing element, electron discharge kmeans'icona-V trolled by .saidcircuitfor (l) uniformly'lengthf'- ening at the front endsv one ormoreivmarkingzimpulses only of each incoming signalcombinatio'n, (2) uniformly shortening at the front endsarone or more marking 'impulses only kof each incoming signal combination, (3.) uniformly lengtheninglat the rearends one or more marking impulsesnof. each incoming signal combination,` and; (4) unie formly shortening at the rearrends one or` more marking impulses only `ofeach incoming signal,-

switching means for selecting, asy desired, there- Heated signalcombinations l,having their. marking impulses only (l) lengthenedat thefrontend', 2)- shortenedat the front.endand (3,) alterA nately lengthened and shortened at their rear ends only, the last-mentioned selection being a1- ternate with respect to signal combinations whereby the marking impulses of one signal combination are lengthened at their rear ends only and those of the following signal combination are shortened at their rear ends only, and means for causing said alternations to occur preferably during the latter half of the start impulse of each signal combination.

5. A telegraph signal reproducing system comprising receiving relay means for repeating marking current impulses and spacing current impulses, a bias adjusting circuit comprising potential storing means common to both marking current impulses and spacing current impulses repeated by said receiving relay means, and electronic means cooperating with said bias adjusting circuit forl predetermining, as desired, the amount said repeated marking impulses and said repeated spacing impulses maybe biased, other electronic means for amplifying said biased marking and biased spacingl impulses, an output circuit,` and other repeating relay means therein for repeating said biased impulses received from said amplifying means.

6. A' telegraph signal reproducing system comprising receiving relay means for repeating marking current impulses and spacing current impulsesrof incoming signal combinations, a circuit connected to said receiving relay means and comprising, in series connection, adjustable impedance means and potential storing means, selecting means comprising a manually operable device, electron discharge means including said circuit and -jointly controlled by said potential storing means f and said manually operable device for continuously producing at one end of each of the repeated marking impulses only or of each of the repeated spacing impulses only of each of said'signal combinations a predetermined amount of bias, as desired, or producing at one end of each of the repeated marking impulses. only of each alternate incoming signal combination and ofthe .repeated spacing impulses only of each of the other alternate incoming'signal combinations any predetermined amount of distortion, as desired.

7. In a telegraph system, an instrumentality for testing the adjustment of receiving telegraph apparatus to receive signals affected by bias and distortion whereby an incoming message may be correctly recorded, said instrumentality comprising in combination, receiving relay means for producing undstorted marking current impulses and spacing current impulses of incoming signal combinations, rectifying means and an impedance network cooperating therewith, adapted to respond to `said marking current impulses only and said spacing current impulses only, under different conditions, means for selecting said rectify-ing means (l) under one condition to lengthen at one end only the marking impulses of each incoming signal combination to produce marking bias, (2) under another condition to shorten at one end the marking impulses only of each incoming signal combination to produce spacing bias, and (3) under still another condition toautomatically eiect at recurring intervals a switch-over from marking bias to spacing bias and'vice versa whereby groups of said signal impulses'witli marking end distortion and groups of said signal impulses with spacingl end distortion are alternately produced, the impulses having distortion at one end only, and means in said le impedance network for predetermining any de-L sired amount of marking or spacing bias or marking end or spacing end distortion to which the impulses repeated by said receiving relay means will be subjected. H

8. Ina telegraph system, an instrumentality for testing the adjustment of receiving telegraph apparatus to correctly receive signals aiected by bias and distortion, said instrumentality comprising a combination receiving relay means for providing marking current impulses and spacing current impulses, rectifying means andan impedance network cooperating therewith,'adapted to respond to said marking current impulses and said spacing current impulses under different conditions, means for selecting (1) one of said rectifying means under one condition to lengthen the marking impulse only to produce marking bias, (2) the other of said rectifying means under another of said conditions to shorten the marking impulses only to produce spacing bias, and (3) both of said rectifying means alternately under another of said conditions to automatically effect at recurring intervals switch-overs from marking bias to spacing bias and vicev versa, sources of potentials, and means for selecting the proper ones of said sources to cause the impulses passing through said rectifying means and said impedance network to be repeated as signals of the polar, effective polar, ordinary neutral or inverse neutral type.

9. A bias transmitter for telegraph signals comprising a source of unbiased signals, a condenser adapted to be charged according to a `polarity characteristic of the marking or spacing nature of said signals, signal repeating means controlled by the charge on said condenser, a rheostat connected in series with said condenser for retarding the charging of said condenser and correspondingly retarding signal responsive operation of said repeating means, and polarity sensitive electron discharge means for by-passing condenser charging current around said rheostat to eliminate retardation of certain signals.

WADE B. MARTIN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of recordin the file of this patent: A

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

